WWE Hall Of Famer George ‘The Animal’ Steele Has Passed Away At Age 79

More sad news from the world of pro wrestling today as Jim Myers, better known as WWE Hall of Famer George ‘The Animal’ Steele, has reportedly passed away at age 79. The news of Steele’s condition was first shared on Eric Simms of ESS Promotions’ Facebook page, and an update on Thursday evening mentioned that the WWF legend had been moved to hospice care. On Friday, both he and Hulk Hogan first tweeted news of Steele’s passing, as well as a family friend who posted on Facebook. The news was later confirmed by WWE.

@HeSeemedSoNormal – Lot of ridiculous things happened, especially with a bunch of upper class people for members. I had an older woman ask me once, as I was pouring her water, “Do you have to own a yacht in order to work here?” “Yup. Just bussing tables to help pay for maintaining it.”

Steele had a biography published just a few years ago. I read an online excerpt about the feud with Savage, who for real believed Steele had heart eyes for Liz. Not that you need any confirmation that Randy Savage was nuts, but it was an entertaining read.

Even when I was a kid and didn’t really know wrestling in the mid 80s I knew who George “The Animal” Steele was. Savage/Steamboat at WM3 was the match that really opened my eyes to wrestling, and he played a great part in it. Rest in peace, George.

The Animal has always been my favourite wrestler. I got in at the start of the rock and wrestling connection and quit right around the time of kamala the ugandan headhunter, but The Animal has never left my heart as the best character to walk out into the squared circle.

Watching that match with him and Savage, with Jesse and Gorilla, was a super fucking throwback. Thanks for that.